The Variable Man [Hardcover]

Philip K. Dick (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Ace Books (1957)
• ASIN: B000PRL7AA
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Invariably Good Sci-Fi Story, September 3, 2011

By 

Dr. Bojan Tunguz (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Variable Man (Kindle Edition)

In the middle of the twenty-second century Terra (a.k.a. Earth) has expanded its influence throughout the Solar System, but a vast, yet weak, empire rules the rest of the Galaxy. Terrans have been at war with this empire for generations, and have never been in a position to prevail over their adversaries. However, the invention of a new weapon - a faster-than-light bomb - may finally shift the balance of power in their favor. Unfortunately, due to an accident with time-travel, a man form the twentieth century ends up in their midst, and his very existence seems to be the cause of uncertainty for the sophisticated prediction computers on which the Terran military establishment relies in planning of their attack. The visitor from the past is thus the variable man - a man whose very existence undermines brings a lot of indeterminism to the military plans.

This longish story or a short novella is one of the finest examples of PKD's sci-fi writing skills. The story is well developed, although from the vantage point of today's sci-fi there are many loose ends and naïve plot developments. The story has the charm of vintage sci-fi, all with almost laughably simpleminded view of the 22nd century technology (vidphones are poor man's versions of iPhones) and *very* inaccurate presentation of science. If you are looking for a polished and technologically sophisticated story than you will very disappointed. On the other hand, if you are tired of all the predictable and mechanistic stories that you can read today, and enjoy raw, rough, ideas that aim for immediate impact, then you will definitely enjoy "The Variable Man."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars engaging, October 14, 2011

By 

Nathaniel E. Conklin - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Variable Man (Kindle Edition)

Reads longer than a simple magazine article length. Better than, "Piper In The Woods".
Great ideas and concepts. My growing collection of Pillip K. Dick novels is one of the best collections to have.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, January 31, 2012

By 

Mike (Arkansas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Variable Man (Kindle Edition)

For such a short book theres a good bit of details and depth to the story. I love that the variable man is a general fix it man and able to adapt to a new world.